Apparatus and method for assembling multi-piston compressors

Abstract

An apparatus and method for assembly multi-piston pumps such as the type used in air conditioning compressors. The conveyor is used to releasably retain the required number of pistons which is then moved to an assembly station wrapping the conveyor and pistons around a swashplate which is held there in place. The conveyor retains the pistons in the appropriate circumferential and radial positions about the swashplate. The cylinder block is in partially inserted over the pistons after which the conveyor can be moved back to the loading station releasing the pistons therefrom. After the pistons are released from the conveyor and held in place by the cylinder block the pistons may then be fully inserted into the cylinder block forming a pump subassembly which may then be used to form a complete pump.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. Apparatus for assembling a compressor utilizing a swashplate to effect movement of a plurality of pistons in respective cylinders comprising 
       a conveyor operable to receive and hold a plurality of compressor pistons;  
       a guide rail adjacent the conveyor operable to receive a pair of shoes, one on each side of the rail, and retain said shoes each in a respective socket in a respective piston, said conveyor and rail cooperating to allow movement of the pistons and shoes while retaining the shoes in the sockets;  
       an assembly station operable to releasably retain a swashplate assembly therein, said swashplate assembly having a swashplate generally in line with said guide rail whereby a gap between the shoes in each piston is in line with the swashplate;  
       a plurality of cradles positioned along the conveyor with the cradles each adapted for releasably holding a respective piston; and  
       a drive operable to selectively move the conveyor such that the pistons are positioned around the swashplate at predetermined positions and holding said pistons each at a respective said position.  
     
     
       2. An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  including track for supporting and guiding said conveyor as the conveyor moves around a swashplate in the assembly station. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  including retaining means adjacent the cradles and operable for retaining pistons in the cradles at least during movement of the cradles in the assembly station. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said retaining means is operable to grip the pistons while in the cradles in an assembly station. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the retaining means includes a finger carried by the conveyor and positioned adjacent a respective trailing cradle whereby when the conveyor moves in the assembly station the fingers point generally radially inwardly. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the fingers have portions that move circumferentially closer to and engage a piston in a trailing cradle to retain a piston in the trailing cradle during movement around the assembly station. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as set forth in the  claim 1  including a mount at the assembly station for rotatably mounting a swashplate at the assembly station with said mount fixing the plane of the swashplate generally parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor.